The day he'd been waiting for had finally come. If all went well, his dreams would come to pass, and his PhD in Marine biology would aid him in teaching the young mutant minds of today. If it didn't go well, then....maybe the aquarium would put him back on the payroll.  Ugh...negativity and fear were never a good thing, yet they were always present on days like this. 

As it stood, the Mansion grounds had a new face walking through the welcoming doors, and looking around. A new...fishy...sort of face. This giant fish was wearing a black full wet-suit, coupled with a black dress-jacket and a white bow-tie. 

Checking the time, he saw he was....twenty minutes early for his interview. Maybe a bit overkill, but...well, he was never late. So, he made his way down the hall, towards the room he'd been instructed to meet in, and leaned against the wall, waiting. Occasionally he caught a few stares from passers-by, but that was nothing he wasn't used to by now.

Things at the Mansion were looking up, for once. They had some steady faculty, and they were in the process of interviewing for the position of principal. Gemma was looking forward to having reinforcements. It had been a long couple of months.

She had an appointment today, a meeting with another potential new faculty member. She had reviewed all she knew about him up front. It was... intriguing. She never knew how someone with a physical mutation would react to her aura. So a couple of minutes before the interview she decided to go and open her office door and let him...

"... oh" she blinked at the fish... person... standing in the hallway, and took a step back "Hello there. I am sorry, I didn't want to surprise you with my aura. Come on in."

She backed away and went back to sit at her desk, inviting him to follow and take a seat. She would explain things after that.

He gave a nod when the door opened. "Hello. Sorry I got here a little early; was farther ahead of schedule than I thought, he said politely. Being the scientist that he was, he'd long since done his research and learned about Adapteds; they were interesting, though he'd never met one personally. So, when she mentioned an 'aura,' he figured that was what she meant.

He walked in and took a seat. After a moment, his vision beginning to blur a bit behind his goggle glasses. That was...odd. He reached up to adjust them, and he blinked, pulling them off of his eyes. ...His hand...it was...not blue-grey. Or scaly. In fact, after a few moments, there was no longer a fish-man sitting there, but a human. And considering the fish-man's usual getup, he now realized in his current attire, he looked ridiculous...oh well.

"...Well....that's interesting..." he murmured, his voice still as deep as before as he tried to adjust to this change. After this, no matter how it went...he had some more research to do. He tried to hide his excited confusion; after all, there were important matters to tend to today.

>> "Hello. Sorry I got here a little early; was farther ahead of schedule than I thought...Well....that's interesting..."

Gemma was laying out paperwork on the table and glanced up just in time to see the fish-man take a seat within her aura, and transform into an average - albeit good-looking - human. She blinked, then stood up from the desk.

"I'm so sorry" she said in a hurry "I didn't mean to..." she shook her head "... I am an adapted human. I have an aura that cancels mutant powers. I try to not approach anyone with powers unless I have their approval, or at least have informed them what might happen. Especially with physical... mutations... although I have to admit, I have never seen... someone turn... human before." she sighed "I apologize. You can pull your chair back, or I can move back, if you are more comfortable outside my aura."

Well, this was off to a great start already.

He smiled softly, giving a nod; after a minute, he realized he was toying with his more flexible human lips. "Oh, it's quite alright. I've done my share of research on adapted humans. So, though I didn't realize you were one, it didn't take very long for it to click. I've always wondered what one's aura would do to me. And, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll stay in it for the time being."

He sighed a little; he was barely a teenager the last time he was even remotely human. He had to admit, he rather enjoyed it, though he had to wonder what he looked like. But then again...he thought maybe it was best if he didn't see that. After all, what would it say about a self-proclaimed advocate for visible-mutant equality if he himself wanted to be human? It was so confusing. Reaching up, he pulled his goggle glasses off of his head and tucked them into the pocket of his dress jacket.

>> "Oh, it's quite alright. I've done my share of research on adapted humans. So, though I didn't realize you were one, it didn't take very long for it to click. I've always wondered what one's aura would do to me. And, if it's all the same to you, I think I'll stay in it for the time being."

Well, at least he was not freaking out. He seemed more used to his fish form than this human one, and Gemma could tell it was a fairly new experience for him. She also noticed him glancing around, and for a moment thought about offering a mirror - but she was not sure if it would be seen as overly personal, so she did not say anything. She flipped through some paperwork instead.

"Very well then" she said finally, with a smile "Let's start at the beginning. My name is Gemma Taylor, I am the school's guidance counselor... and I also do quite a bit of administration, as you can see" she leaned over the table to offer a hand "A pleasure to meet you. Welcome to Xavier's."

Manfish had to admit, he was enjoying this few minutes as a human. He'd forgotten what it felt like, but now that he was no longer a fishman--at least, temporarily--well, it was kind of awkward. Everything felt funny, his skin was dryer than usual, and though he could see better, damned if his other senses didn't work as well as they used to. While she rifled through papers, he pulled his phone out of his pocket and snapped a selfie. Not something he usually did, but it would likely be awhile if he looked like this again, if ever.

Putting his phone away, he returned the handshake firmly. Even shaking hands felt weird now. Somewhat...awkward. And this wetsuit was starting to chafe a little. "Dr. Caleb Fishman. It's a pleasure to be here," he replied with a nod and a smile. His heart was racing by now, between the usual tension surrounding interviews and his surprise transformation. However, he realized both of these could give him insight.

Maybe this experience would help his stance on equality. But, that was a task for another time.

Gemma caught the click of the selfie, but didn't comment or look up. Her aura was both a blessing and a curse, depending on who ventured into it. This time, it seemed to mostly be a surprise.

>> "Dr. Caleb Fishman. It's a pleasure to be here,"

Doctor. Gemma smiled at that too. It would be a welcome change in the faculty if they actually had people who were qualified to teach higher level subjects.

"I understand you are here for a faculty position" she said, sitting back down "Can you tell me a little bit about your background? Obviously you have a doctorate. Medical?"

She did have his file, but she preferred to hear the details from the candidates themselves; it told her a lot what they chose to highlight.

"Do you have any preferences as to teaching?"

"I've got a PhD in Marine Biology," he stated politely. "I grew up in California, and after graduating high school, I moved here to go to college, where I completed my education, recently graduating with a PhD. While in school, I've worked at local aquariums, where I now volunteer my time."

He paused. "I would be most comfortable teaching a biology class, but anything in the field of science would honestly be right up my alley." It was obvious he had somewhat of a connection with marine life, but truth be told, anything science-related fascinated him, especially biology, and marine-biology held a special place in his heart, for obvious reasons.

>>"I've got a PhD in Marine Biology. I grew up in California, and after graduating high school, I moved here to go to college, where I completed my education, recently graduating with a PhD. While in school, I've worked at local aquariums, where I now volunteer my time... I would be most comfortable teaching a biology class, but anything in the field of science would honestly be right up my alley."

Gemma nodded with a smile. It made sense that he would be a perfect teacher for any student who was interested in marine biology. It was... related to his mutation, and while it sounded vaguely amusing, she had no doubt that he was very professional, and passionate about passing on the knowledge. In addition, someone with a physical mutation would be a great role model for students who were dealing with the same thing.

"We have another biology teacher on staff" she noted "But with everyone's schedule moving around, we could probably use two. If you were willing to teach other science-related classes as well, that would be great too."

She made a note to look into scheduling, and make a meeting happen between Xavia and Mr. Fishman.

"Another thing that I usually ask is" she said, resting her elbows on her desk "as you know, this school is a lot more than an educational institution. It is also a safe haven and a home to many of our students. A lot of them are without families, for various reasons. Because of that, we prefer to have faculty living here who are willing to get actively involved with extracurricular activities... helping students develop and control their powers, learn skills outside of the academic fields, that kind of thing. So I guess my question is, would you be willing to do this kind of work, and what do you think you could offer to the school community?"

He gave a nod. "I would be willing to teach any classes that you need, within my capabilities, of course," he answered politely. He continued to listen after this, and she began to explain being a role model and extra-curricular activities.

He chewed on his bottom lip as she spoke, and he thought, hanging on every word. Heh...that felt funny; in his usual form, he couldn't manage that with fish lips. It was odd enough smiling, which he found himself doing alot.

"Well, my obvious strengths are swimming and diving, but I'm actually more well rounded than that. As far as extra-curricular activities go, I could be of use if you need a swim or dive coach, a chess club, or a wrestling coach. Also, any youth with physical mutations that work differently from a human body, I could probably help them to adapt," he explained.

>> "I would be willing to teach any classes that you need, within my capabilities, of course,"

Gemma nodded. That made things easier. She could build schedules with more faculty, and make sure they had classes for different learning levels. Given the mixed nature of the Mansion's students in terms of age and education, this was definitely a good thing.

Mr. Fishman smiled, and Gemma noticed some twitches and movements from him as he settled into his human form. She didn't comment on them, but was secretly fascinated to see someone with a physical mutation reacquaint himself with his human form.

>>"Well, my obvious strengths are swimming and diving, but I'm actually more well rounded than that. As far as extra-curricular activities go, I could be of use if you need a swim or dive coach, a chess club, or a wrestling coach. Also, any youth with physical mutations that work differently from a human body, I could probably help them to adapt,"

Gemma nodded with a smile; it was about what she had been expecting, and a very useful set of skills at that.

"All of those sound great" she noted "And much needed, too. Especially when it comes to physical mutations... To tell the truth, those are harder for me to help with. For obvious reasons." she chuckled. Not everyone turned human in her aura.

"Would you be moving into the Mansion full time?"

He hung onto what she was saying. "I understand. I feel like even though I'm different, I can use this to help others, which, well, is why I'm here." He chuckled a little, to show he meant no harm by his comments.

"Yes, I did plan on moving here full time. I figured I could do more good if I lived here, after all. It just seems like it would make everything easier and I'd be able to be more involved, and easier to get in touch with." He gave a small smile, now more accustomed to his human form.

>>"I understand. I feel like even though I'm different, I can use this to help others, which, well, is why I'm here... Yes, I did plan on moving here full time. I figured I could do more good if I lived here, after all. It just seems like it would make everything easier and I'd be able to be more involved, and easier to get in touch with."

Gemma nodded, folding up her paperwork.

"Well" she said with a smile "That sounds like it would work well for Xavier's. And I'm not going to lie, we can use all the faculty we can get. Especially with all the new students arriving recently... I'll be grateful for the help."

She stood, offering a hand to the Mansion's new biology teacher.

"Welcome to the Mansion, Mr. Fishman. I'll put the paperwork through and talk to the rest of the board. I'll let you know when you can move it. It shouldn't be long. And... thank you for applying. I hope this job will be everything you hoped for."

He smiled, shaking the extended hand. That wasn't nearly as bad as he expected, but then again, interviews rarely were. And this one was a rather pleasant experience, with an added twist.

"It's a pleasure to be on the team," he replied with a smile. "I just want to teach and mentor the young mutants, to be the mentor to them that I never had. If I can manage that, my goals are complete. So many mutants are on the news for crimes they committed, for the lives they chose, merely because they didn't have a healthy mentor. Not everyone had the love and support that I was fortunate enough to receive. And that, is where it all begins. Show more support, and the city will slowly give rise to more mutant doctors and lawyers, and less car thieves and murderers."